Adjustable scaffold or staging



March 2, 1948. F. J. HIERS ADJUSTABLE SCAFFOLD OR STAGING Filed May 22 INVENTOR.

FHA N/fZ/IV J 19/15/9 5 wam 441;

A TTOHNEY Patented Mar. 2, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,436,862 ADJUSTABLE SCAFFOLD on STAGING Franklin J. Hiers, Portsmouth, Va.,' assignor of one-fourth to Thomas-A. Hodges, Portsmouth,

Application May 22, 1946, Serial No. 671,430

This invention relates to scaffolds or staging, and, more particularly, to one which is readily assembled and adjusted to suit various desired conditions of use.

A main object of my invention is to provide a scaffold or staging, desirably formed of structural of a car frame for acting as a putlog, or, upon inversion of the main member, connecting with a ground-adjacent structural member, such as a track rail; an adjusting foot member adapted to be connected with the lower portion of the upright part; of the main member to form a ground support; and an alternatively-used extension member adapted to either present a plank-supporting portion above the topofthe main meme ber, or be reversed to be offset away from, the Work with respect to said main'member, for hold ing tools and the like.

A further object of my invention is to provide frames which may be held in place with respect to work, such asrailway rolling stock undergoing repairs or other servicing, and which may be attached either to the rolling'stock or to the track therebene'ath, positioned at the desired elevation, and held firmly so as to present approximately horizontal portions for supporting planks'upon which men may stand when performing the desired work. 7 i I Other objects and advantagesof the invention will become apparentas thedescription proceeds.

Referring to the drawing, which is approximately to scale:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodia ment of one of myadjustable scaffold or staging frames, to a scale of 1% inches equal -1 foot in the drawing accompanying the application.

Fig. '2 is an end elevational view of one of said frames. i

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional 9 Claims." (01. 304-) Fig. 5 is an enlarged view in perspective of one of the keys for use with the bolt of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic fragmentary view (in perspective), showing how the scaffold frames may be adjusted so that workers may stand on one plank and have tools and material disposed in a convenient position on another plank there-' above, and in which the main member of each frame is-inverted, as compared with Figs. 1 and 2, so that the hook member connects with the track rail rather than a channel or other part of a car or other structure being serviced, as well as an alternative connection between the hook and main frame members.

Referring to the drawingsin detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, there is shown an adjustable scaffold, generally designated'by the reference character ll, comprising two or more scaffold frames I2, only one 20 of which is illustrated as the other, or others,

is,-or are, identical therewith, adapted to support planks [3, or other structural members upon which men may stand and work, which planks extend between two or more of such frames, depending on the load to be supported and/or the distance traversed by the planks.

Each frame l2 comprises a main member l4 having a normally generally-horizontal portion l5 adapted to either rest on the ground l6, as when positioned as illustrated in Fig. 1 or, upon inversion, as shown in Fig. 6 to support a plank I1. The other normally generally-horizontal portion I 8 is adapted for connection with a structure to be serviced,'and for that purpose may be provided with one or more apertures 19 for the reception of a bolt 2|, desirably of the type illustrated in Fig. 4 (which is to a scale of 6 inches view on either one of the lines IIIIII of Fig. 1, 7

in the directions of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged .detailed'elevational view of one of the bolts used 'for'connecting the parts.

equal 1 foot in the drawing accompanying the application), that is, provided with a slot 22 for the reception of a locking key plate or wedge 23,

as'detailed in Fig. 5 to the same scale.

Thebolt 2| serves for connection with a desirably employed hook member 24 having a shank 25 with a series of apertures 26 to selectively receive said connecting bolt passing through the normally horizontal portion l8. The bolt 2| desirably has a short chain 20, with one end welded to its head and the other to the part I8. In order to prevent turning between the hook member 24 and the portion l8, one of said members, a

such as the former, is provided with a metal loop 21, detailed in Fig. 3 to about the scale of Figs. 4

and 5, for snugly receiving the portion I8 between it and the portion 25. Said loop is spaced from the bolt holes 26 so that positioning of the bolt 2! in one of said holes, and a registering hole [9 in the portion I8, is not interfered with.

The hook portion 28 of the hook member 24 is of such a form that it snugly receives the lower flange 29 of conventional car body channels 3|, or similar structural parts, as illustrated in Fig. 1, for holding the frame l2 in the desired position with respect to thegcar or otherstructure being serviced. After fitting, as illustrated, the hook member 2 5 may be locked to the channel 3|, or other member of the structure being serviced by a key or wedge 23', which may be shaped like the wedge 23 of Fig. 5, and receivedin'a slot in the hook member 24. The slot 3 0,;is of asize generally like a slot 22 and positioned .so as to normally partly underlie the channel 3| and allow for the desired tightening of the hook member thereto, .as illustrated in Fig. 1. A connecting chain 20", like the chain 20, may be provided for the Wedge 23.

When, the m n msm s 2'4 o h f am i inverted, as representeddiagrammatically in Fig 6, to a scale approximately one-fourth that of i s and 11t k mem er 1 is also verted with respect thereto, while still engaging a lower surface of the portion 18 (except in the alternative construction illustrated in Fig. 6, her slo s h s 21 xt nds fr m h r n [81 so th it hook 28 ma 99 r h s 3} of a track rail 33, if it isdesired to brace the frame that way rather than by connection With a ar o qth s ustur h lw d 23" ma here,

2 and 4.3, .Which maybe like thekcyfl p ou y descri e n the sam Way t ll ti p i 34 is provided-with metal loops Hand 55, like he l ps for sn ly receiving therebe w e auxiliary ,memberssuch as the foot member and the extension mem er 41, which members, or oneof them, may be used when desired and then are respectivel connected thereto ;by the bolts 39 and.

The foot member .46 is desirably used when the ground slopes from ,the structure being serviced, and has a normally upright or shank portion 4 8, havin a series of apertures 49 to selectivel receivethe bolt :39 for adjustably securing it to the main member 14, and a portion 5| extending at right angles from the normally lower end thereof to present a flat surface to the ground 1.6.,

Both of the normallyhorizontal portions1,5 and I8 are desirably provided withoutstanding lugs 52 and 53, respectively, .to proyide stops for planks which maybe supported thereon, and the portion I5 has an angular end portion 55, complementary to the'lug 52 to providea plank-receiving channel therebetween.

{the extension member 4], which need be used only when a support taller thanthe ,rnain member I21 is ,desired, comprises a normally horizontal or ion so to ew a u pe ank upp r nd o ma u h tion fifi brace w t ss t er o y a ason hmsmb r 1, Which may e. ecur in ac byl sld ngl and h in a rie Oshawasteps ste s y a says messen er 1 s he a nineties @9 12. a ise when assist 1 ing bolt 4| for adjustably securing the parts together. Like the portion l5, the normally horizontal portion 55 has a lug 59 and an end angular portion 6| to provide a channel for the reception of a plank, such as that designated l3.

All of the connecting keys 2 3, 42 and 43 are provided with chains 62 of sufficient length for connecting them to the associated frame parts, thereby forcing same in thelbolts 2=.I 39 and 4 I in diagonal position, as a safety feature. When the keys are hammered tight, the adjacent surfaces of the associated member are brought from the slightly spaced relation, illustrated in Fig, 1, to

th tight operatin g engagement, illustrated diac rammaticallyinl lig. 6 to a smaller scale.

From the foregoing disclosure it will be seen that I have provided an adjustable scafioldor staging consisting of a pair of frames, each of whioh comprises a main member, a hook member adapted to interlock with a car or other structure .being serviced .orwith a supporting structural member Such .as a track rail, an adjusting foot member associated therewith for'engaging the ground so as to provide 'a steady two-point support at each frame, the interlocking hook member ,being'adjustable with respect to the main member of the. frame. An extension member is also provided, incase a tall scaff ld is needed. It is adjustable "with respect .to the main member to provide a support for a plank either above the main member or above and outwardly offset with respect tosaid main member, for supporting tools and s l k It will aso be understood that one of .the frames or main members thereof, with its associated hook and foot members, may'be used to support one end ,of a plank to provide ,a ramp for facilitating approach to the scaffold or staging provided by'a plurality of my frames and an associated plank or planks. On acc'ount' of using slotted bolts and a r k y nl a hamme s ne a y for'assembling the frames andscaffold,- and dismantling them, M

A summary of the adyantages of using such,

frames and 'a season produced by a plurality s sdfl iesl ths ss' l insti s ssh b u d to e sil channels th ctural mb rs of cars er the like being worked on, or the adjacent track rail. 'A scaffold produced employing rames. m b uss iow r n a-c i o necti n w th ma re a rs ,Q ot v mg, u a sa u in j c llins nd h n or in connection with loading and unloading of freight, express endother cars at terminals or vldssl' s locati n and? f ames s also be. s d aroun tore-boss r un adi es 'su pq ii li am s a h i s li an he .I a t s r o alth u h l ll ft ie sl fss s a e o {1s metal, preferably high tensile strength steel sections of unifprm width and thickness, except where'emerwse illustrated; and secured together by welding, may, if desired, -be made of other structural shapes;

Although a preferred embodiment :of my invention :has been disclosed, it will be understood that ljustable scaffold, comprising a normally gener allraqnin te 'apostl s, seeme so e t er es e he groun a are me on s s a utt plank-supporting port s ma s r scisqa a essment en a-esocea portion connecting said generally-horizontalportions, from which they both extend inithe. samev upright portionconnecting said generally-hori-.

zontal portion and apertured near both ends for the reception of connecting bolts; and an extension member comprising a normally generallyhorizontal portion to form an upper plank-supporting portion, and a normally-upright portion, braced with respect thereto andhaving a series of apertures to selectively receive an upper connecting bolt of said main upright portion for adjustably securing said members together.

3. In an adjustable "scaffold, a main member having a normally generally-horizontal portion adapted to either rest on the ground or, upon inversion, form a plank-supporting portion, another normally generally-horizontal portion'apertured for the reception of a connecting bolt,'and a normally upright portion connecting said gen eraily-horizontal portions, from which they both extend in the same directionand in non-adjusta ble relationship, andapertured near both ends for the reception of connecting bolts; and a hook member having a shank with a series of apertures to selectively receive a bolt through the firstmentioned portion of the main member for adjustable connection therewith, and a hook portion adapted to selectively connect with either a structural member of an object or a support for said object.

4. In an adjustable scaffold, a main member having a normally generally-horizontal portion adapted to either rest on the ground or, upon inversion, form a plank-supporting portion, an-

other normally generally-horizontal portion aper- 5. An adjustable scaffold comprising a main member having a normally generally-horizontal portion adapted either to rest on the ground or, upon inversion, form a plank-supporting portion, another normally generally-horizontal portion apertured for the reception of a connecting bolt, and a normally upright portion connecting said generally-horizontal portions, braced with respect thereto, and apertured near both ends for the reception of connecting bolts; an extension member comprising a normally generally-horizontal portion to form an upper plank-supporting portion, a normally upright portion, braced with respect thereto and having a series of apertures to selectively receive an upper connecting bolt of said main upright portion for adjustably securing said members together; and a hook member having a shank with a series of apertures to selectively receive a bolt through the first-mentioned portion of the main'mejmber for adjustable connection therewith, and a hookportlon adapted to selectively connect with, either a structural member of an object or a support for said object.

6. An adjustable scaffold comprising a main member having a normally generally-horizontal portion adapted toieither rest on the ground or, upon inversion, form a plank-supporting portion, another normally generally-horizontal portion apertured -fortlr ereception of a connecting bolt, a normally upright portionconnecting said generally-horizontal portions and apertured near bothends for the reception elf-connecting bolts; a hook member having a shank with a series of apertures to selectively receive a bolt through the first-mentioned portion of the main member for adjustable connection therewith, and a hook portion adapted to selectively connect with either a structural memberof an object or a support for said object; and'an adjusting foot member comprising a normally upright portion having a series of apertures to selectively receive the lower connecting bolt; of said upright portion foradjustably securingsaid parts together, and a portion extending at right angles from the normally portion adapted to either rest on the ground or,

upon inversiomiorm a plank-supporting portion, another normally generally-horizontal portion apertured for the reception of a connecting bolt, a normally upright portion connecting said generally-horizontal portions, braced with respect thereto and apertured near both ends for the reception of connecting bolts; an extension member comprising a normally generally-horizontal portion to form an upper plank support, a normally upright portion having a series of apertures to selectively receive the upper connecting bolt of said main upright portion for adjustably securing said parts together; and an adjusting foot member comprising a normally upright portion having a series of apertures to selectively receive the lower connecting bolt of said main upright portion, for adjustably securing said parts together, and a portion extending at right angles from the normally lower end thereof to present a fiat supporting surface to the ground.

8. An adjustable scaffold comprising a main member having a normally generally-horizontal portion adapted to either rest on the ground or, upon inversion, form a plank-supporting portion, another normally generally-horizontal portion apertured for the reception of a connecting bolt, and a normally upright portion connecting said generally-horizontal portions, braced with respect thereto, and apertured near both ends for the reception of connecting bolts; an extension member comprising a normally generally-horizontal portion to form an upper plank support, and a normally upright portion braced with respect thereto and having a series of apertures to selectively receive the upper connecting bolt of said main upright portion for adjustably securing said parts together; a hook member having a shank with a series of apertures to selectively receive the connecting bolt of the first-mentioned portion of the main member, for adjustable connection therewith, and a hook portion adapted to selectively connect with either a structural member of an object or a support for said object; and an adjusting foot member comprising a normally upright portion having a series of aper- WW. surface sa'ki objectfands an adjusting f 001?. memben comiriismzgmirex xizismpwithithg -apertureaapmiom it}? rpceivling '-said" first=mentionedi'portion; to

' rlasti v' turning; and l a a b00113 portion wdaptd 'to selectively? connectii with-1 either: at strucfiiralimember of" an obj ect; voria:support forf pxyisi'ng a fm'rma'lly uprightiportiorrhawingia series 

